Chacachare Island and Bird Watching

Jeremy next to a deserted leper beach hut in the idyllic Island of (say it slowly) Chacachacare. There was a whole community of houses, most of which were overgrown by the jungle. Curiously about 200 yds up from the beach and the main colony was a recently renovated area with a temple to Hare Krishna.





This the view from the lighthouse across Chacachacare which is about 900 feet above sea level. Kathy and I managed to hitch a lift up to the lighthouse with one of the keepers which saved us a three mile walk uphill. It was a beautiful Sunday morning and relatively few trippers came to the Island from "mainland" Trinidad - about as many as you'd find on Piel Islands on a good Bank Holiday.











The lighthouse was built by the British in 1897 and is still in good nick. The road up is narrowed by the vegetation and a small 4x4 can only just squeeze past the tight places at 40mph! Kathy and I were in the pickup part of the vehicle and once or twice we were swoshed with vegetation lashing past. The big shock came (Indiana Jones Style) when we had to pass under a fallen bamboo. I was looking ahead and cleverly ducked as the bamboo passed over our heads with about 6 inches to spare.

We went on a day trip with Jesse James Members Only Maxi Taxi Service. Jesse is a mine of information. He kept us entertained and well fed; doubles for breakfast, 3 course lunch at the Asa Wright Centre and ice cream on the way home. The only downside was it rained all day apart from a short time when we were on small boats exploring the Kuoni Swamp. This is Woodie Woodpecker in the Asa Wright Nature Centre Trinidad. Now as Picasa will only let us Blog 4 photos we hope to upload some more.